The ‘rojiblanco’ players, happy about the win and the good game against Levante

April 25, 2011 - 1:30

Juanfran: “We have a good dynamic and we hope to continue this way”

The Club Atlético de Madrid players appeared happy about the good game dedicated to their fans on “Children’s Day”. Juanfran, Noguera, Elías and Perea were the central figures in the mixed zone and they all agreed that the team played a great match against Levante and that the victory was well-deserved.

Juanfran was pleased with his debut as a starter at the Vicente Calderón, with the victory and his good game. “We started the game really well, we scored early and the entire squad did a great job. We’re really happy with the win because the fans went home joyful. I was really looking forward to playing at the Calderón and it was about time because I hadn’t been able to start since I arrived in January. The truth is that everything went well, the team won and I’m happy with my performance. I’ll surely give a lot more to the team with more continuity and the supporters will be happy with me,” he stated.

The Calderón gave him an ovation when he was taken off for Forlán. “I’m extremely happy because the fans are happy with me. I try to give my all when I have the chance to play. I hope that the gaffer saw that commitment in me and that I can play a lot more. Fouls? I received a lot since the opening whistle and I even think that the first could have been a sending off, but it’s good because the more they kick me, it means that I’m feeling good and fast. Hopefully I can score my first goal as a ‘rojiblanco’ next week. The team has a fantastic dynamic, our goal is to be in Europe next season and we hope to continue with our good streak,” he said.

Alberto Noguera radiated happiness. He attended to the media with an ear-to-ear smile after having making his first squad debut. He was carrying his number 51 jersey in his bag, and said that “I was really nervous when warming up, but then everything went well. I just focused on playing football. They told me to stay calm and play the way I know how. Afterwards, they congratulated me. The ovation from the Calderón was really emotional; you always appreciate everything from the fans. On top of that, we won 4-1, so it was a perfect day. Hopefully this will be the first of many. This gives you strength and Quique has a lot of confidence in the academy, so we hope to continue like this and get more games. Playing with the first team is thrilling,” he highlighted.

Elías was another one of the game’s protagonists. He scored the first goal on a masterfully taken free kick, forced Munúa into a great save and closed out the goal-scoring when his free kick was knocked in by the keeper for the final 4-1 scoreline. “It was a nice goal, one of the nicest of my career. I’d already scored my first goal with Atlético on a header and now I got my first free kick goal. I’m adapting well and I hope to contribute more to the team. I’m not playing in my normal position and as I’m adapting to another, I need a bit more time. I think that this was my best game since I arrived at Atlético de Madrid,” he commented.

Luis Amaranto Perea played in his 203rd game as a ‘rojiblanco’, equalling the record of the mythical Griffa as the foreigner with most league matches in an Atlético jersey. “I’m happy, very pleased and very proud because it was a very complete day. The team played well, won, and we gave the fans something to cheer about. I’m very stubborn and I’m still holding on. I’ve been very patient and tried not to get exasperated. When you’re honest and a hard worker, life rewards you and this is one of the biggest I’ve had on a footballing level. Now there’s a lot more pressure because there are fewer and fewer points and we’re all playing for something, but individually and collectively, the team has improved a lot and hopefully it will be enough to get to Europe. That’s the goal and with today’s win we took an important step,” he concluded.